Rating: 6/6
(PCH) Pale Chocolate Heaven by Santa Monica Brew Works is a 6% American Porter
A modern interpretation that replaces traditional ingredients of a porter with generous portions of cacao nibs, vanilla beans, and milk sugar resulting in a complex memorable beer
Pancho pantera chocomil! This is amazing choco malty millshake
Rating: 7/7
Rating: 4.5/5
River Rye by Benchmark Brewing Company is a 6.5% Rye Beer
Description:
Rich in color and flavor with a resiny hop profile that compliments the spiciness of the rye. It has a rich creamy body with full flavored rye character. A part of our Parks Collection, it’s available on draft and occasionally on cask.
Review:
Toffee and caramel everywhere, mild Bitterness and easy to drink…
Some Rick and Morty inspired brews Los Angeles Ale Works I had when they were releasing this before the beginning of Season 3 of “Rick and Morty” with my friends Julio and Oscar. These 2 beers are amazing but I think Fleeb Joose was on another super tropic level on that of the Pink Snow we had from the Bruery if that beer was a super juicy Double IPA. I just hope they keep making this one it was super great!!!
Mr Meseeks of DragonfruitZ is done wit yo shit!
Rating: 6/6
2017 Beer Camp Across the World Raspberry Sundae Ale collaboration with Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and The Bruery is an 8%ABV Golden Ale brewed with raspberries, cocoa nibs, vanilla beans and lactose.
Description:
Together we’re brewing a riff on the flavors of the classic raspberry ice cream sundae. This beer features raspberry, cocoa and vanilla, in addition to lactose (an unfermentable sugar) that adds a richness and a sweetness, helping to blend and meld the flavors of this ultra-complex beer together. It’s been a true pleasure to work with artists at The Bruery using ingredients and techniques outside of our normal wheelhouse.
Like the Hoarders Cuvee 2016 but light. Major raspberry cream, banana notes and white chocolate. Why is this only made once?!?! Make More!! Needless to say, there needs to be more of this for sure. Great awesome Red Velvet cream beer with Banana and chocolate making it a lot like a banana split.
Rating: 6/6
Red Velvet by Eagle Rock brewing is an 11% ABV Imperial Rye Red Ale.
Such an amazing beer… liquid caramel, toffee, red velvet cake and yet hoppy grassy tropical supreme. Needless to say, this one is a major love and includes a decadent array of dark fruits flavors and dark cherries creating a hoppy dessert beer essentially. One for the win!
Rating: 7/7
2016 Hoarders Cuvée by The Bruery is an 18.5% ABV American Strong Ale/Old Ale/Cuvée hybrid aged in bourbon barrels, raspberries, vanilla beans and cacao nibs.
Label:
An invitation to join The Bruery Hoarders Society is the ultimate nod in how far you’ve come in your craft beer journey. Each year as a member, you get access to some of the most elusive and exclusive beers (such as this) and one-of-a-kind experiences, like going toe-to-toe with your peers in blending sessions exclusive to Hoarders.
This Cuvée is the icing on the cake – literally – as it took top honors in the Hoarders Cuvée blending tournament to be produced by The Bruery in 2016. Featuring a nearly equal blend of our most storied bourbon barrel-aged beers – Black Tuesday and our anniversary ale – with additions of raspberries, vanilla beans and cacao nibs, this beer was designed by Hoarders Society member, Paul Moore, and his teammate, Luis Barriga, to embody the ultimate cupcake. It’s the first fruited beer of its kind out of The Bruery, and a fitting release for the first installment in the newly minted Hoarders Cuvée series.
==Introduction==
Exclusively released to Hoarders Society only, unless you can trade for another Hoarders member or there is a special someone that is a huge fan of the site to donate! They basically made a special edition Mélange X (by X I mean some kind of number given to Mélange beers that mix Black Tuesday, Anniversary Ales and other ales or ingredients). I’ll be honest, there would be no way I could get my hands on this unless I buy it in the special online sites or trade. This website has slowly been grabbing a small trend of followers of which I especially admire. They were able to donate this one to me seeing as I love lots of the Bruery beers. As a Reserve member I can only bring so much to the table to help those that look for these beers. So they decided to make some kind of raspberry cupcake beer. It is very interesting as my last home brewing experiments with raspberries lead to a crazy fruity beer about “DRAGONS”. Interesting stuff for sure but this is the first time they release some Hoarders exclusive beer. Seems very special to and one I am happy to have you guys to thank, my readers and fans to provide this one to me. Let’s have a look! Cheers!
Aromas:
Super Rich Raspberry chocolate, cake, oak, bourbon, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, Banana Split Sundae, pecan pie, fruit cake, hazelnut nectar, sweetened condensed milk, marshmallows, raspberry cheesecake, flan, crème brulee, dark fruit raisins, blackberries, currants, plums, blueberries, red velvet cake, berries and cream, raspberry indulgence candies, Danish cream, dark chocolate, cherry chocolate cordials and Chambord raspberry liqueur.
Flavors:
Super rich berries and cream, Raspberry indulgence candies, red velvet cake, strawberry short cake, raspberry chocolate cup cake, dark fruit raisins, blackberries, currants, plums, blueberries, dragon fruit, passion fruit, raspberry yogurt, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, German chocolate, Baker’s chocolate, Belgian chocolate, rich Chambord raspberry liqueur, cake icing, raspberry cobbler, cherry cobbler, Danish cream cookies, dulce de leche caramel, marzipan, mazapan, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, banana split sundae, cherry cordials, flan, crème brulee, double chocolate raspberry cake, raspberry cheesecake, vanilla, marshmallows, oak, sweetened condensed milk, campfire smores, raspberry preserves on toasted rye bread, and almond joy ice cream.
Aftertaste:
Finishes in rich raspberry chocolate cake goodness, flan, crème brulee, raspberry sweetened condensed milk, Danish cream cookies, dark fruit, vanilla, cheesecake, raspberry preserves, dark cherry yogurt, fruit cake, bourbon, oak and dulce de leche caramel. Despite the 18.5% ABV, this ends with subtle to no alcohol in the taste. Crazy right? Begins Deep Dark full body but as you sip more of it, it starts to look more like a crimson deep dark body. Smooth, velvety, creamy, syrupy and chewy mouthfeel along with a sipping drinkability.
Overall:
A bucket lister in its own damn right. Reminding me in some ways of my own creation, the Raging Passio-Lactus Raspear Dragons but basically missing the chocolate and vanilla and very important, the awesomeness of Black Tuesday and their Anniversary Old Ale. Essentially, my brew is still leagues away in complexity simply due to what I was going for. Nevertheless, the interesting combination of Raspberries, Chocolate and Vanilla are definitely something I plan to focus on. Essentially, this bucket lister gave me more ideas for another home brew. What can I say, when you home brew, you have a bit of knowledge which is power to make similar great beers. Even so, I still help local breweries to share info on them from the site. As far this raspberries chocovanille buttercup goes, I extremely recommend to those who definitely want to seek it. I have tried so many great beers and this is hugely, one of a kind!!!!
Anime Corner:
Yoko Littner from Tengen Toppa Gurren Laggan was previously chosen when I did the review for Cacaonut. She was used in that special Bruery beer but sadly, the beer was short lived due to lactic infections in the beer. Since then I had not used her in another beer pairing. However, seeing as a beer that used raspberry and chocolate as well as vanilla in a Bruery beer, I had to bring her back. Especially since I had done an awesome review with her in my first Raspberry bourbon barrel-aged stout. Although that one did not have chocolate and vanilla and was more about the emphasis on tropical and exotic fruits. As I drank this though, some flavors of the beer did remind me of my home brew, so there was definitely a need to bring her back to the mix. Besides, for a special brew like this, I have to choose some of the best characters.
Aside from the colors of the ingredients like vanilla and raspberry which can be easily seen through her colors, the armored dark dragon knight armor she wears with her holding the fireball represents something important about the name “Hoarders”. Essentially, I think, which may not be true but, if you are a Hoarder (especially Hoarders Society) and feel really awesome about your status, you are represented by unlimited power as shown by Yoko. However, with great power comes great responsibility as Uncle Ben from Spiderman once said to Peter Parker. Essentially, enjoy that society has given you the ability to enjoy something that the few can only understand but do not forget where you came from. Absolute Power can corrupt Absolutely. Love your beer friends, share a beer or whatever you hoard. Let others know you can still be humble. Yoko despite her hardships still knew how to help others and was a selfless character, Hot anime girl appearances aside. Definitely check out Tengen Toppa Gurren Laggan.
Sources:
http://i.imgur.com/x6kW2EV.jpg
https://brewerianimelogs.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/fdb44-digitalartbyyuewang23.jpg
http://move.loveisover.me/foolfuuka/boards/e/image/1437/49/1437496106755.png
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zm7UfYc9NsE/VicaGg344cI/AAAAAAAAAHE/Z-xggTktIfQ/w800-h800/maid_ritona_render_by_ichigo_mazapan-d510np7.png
http://i.imgur.com/d5lIIqb.jpg
http://orig10.deviantart.net/650b/f/2012/323/3/a/yoko_littner_sexy_outfit_2_by_mactain-d5lh7wt.jpg
Rating: 6/6
Ol’ Dirty Barrel (ODB) by Belching Beaver is a 10.5% ABV Russian Imperial Stout aged in Oak Rye Whiskey Barrels
Label:
Gold Medal
World Beer Championships Award
Brewed and Bottled by Belching Beaver Brewery Vista Ca, USA
Bottle#1271
It’s Old! …and Dirty! Our Russian Imperial Stout is our biggest beer brewed to date. Aged in Oak Rye Whiskey Barrels. Ol’ Dirty Barrel is loaded with hints of caramel, anise, chocolate and coffee.
This beer will have you reminiscing about old times, classic tunes and lost loves. Don’t call her! She’s moved on and really, was she worth all that? This Russian Imperial Stout will keep you just as warm anyway.
Ingredients: Water, Grain, Sugar, Oats, Hops, Yeast
==Introduction==
I have tried many of the Belching Beaver beers ranging from the Peanut Butter Milk stout, Pineapple IPA, Me So honey and even had a chance to visit their brewery. For being a sought after yet very common brews, they grew well so many could enjoy their beers. I remember when I visited long ago with my friends Oscar, Julio and Jeanette we tried many of the beers but there was a picture of a mean looking beaver. That mean looking beaver was a picture of this beer. It was on a Metal sign and I was wondering, damn, I would sure one day love to try that brew. I had totally forgotten about it until my friend Aaron Mendiola of BeerMetalDude.com had mentioned that he would like for me to find this one. That is when I remembered, they did eventually release this beer on bottles. While it was sold out in many places, I was able to find it online eventually. Now that the beer is here, without further ado, I bring you, the review for the Ol’ Dirty Barrel, cheers!
Aromas:
Oak, Toasted coconut, toffee, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, toffee, crème brulee, flan, Danish cream, toffee, Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, bakers chocolate, German chocolate, Belgian chocolate, rye bread, bourbon, graham cracker marshmallow, smores, pecan pie notes, dark fruit raisins, dark cherries, currants plums, tobacco, leather notes, brownie batter, chocolate cake notes, chocolate mousse, and banana notes.
Flavors:
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, bakers chocolate, German chocolate, Belgian chocolate, toasted coconut, crème brulee, flan, Danish cream, Irish cream coffee, oak, bourbon, whiskey, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, toffee, rye bread, bourbon, marshmallow, smores, graham crackers, almond joy chocolates, dark fruit raisins, dark cherries, currants plums, Coffee, Kahlua Liqueur, coffee cake, pecan pie, bananas, clove spice, sweetened condensed milk, tobacco, leather notes, brownie batter, chocolate cake notes, chocolate mousse, anise and molasses.
Aftertaste:
Finishing with lots of oaky notes, dark chocolates, toasted coconut, cherries, flan, whiskey and almond joy notes. No alcohol in the taste, Dark full body, smooth, creamy, velvety and chewy mouthfeel with an easy to sipping drinkability.
Overall:
An exceptional barrel aged brew. Belching beaver has been one of the most top notch breweries I have tried and to finally get a chance to try their take on an imperial stout aged in oak barrels, now this was definitely worth the find. So much complexity and flavors that I love from these barrel aged brews similar to the likes of Bourbon County, Parabola, Black Tuesday and others. This one stands on its own as the nutty hazelnut and milk chocolate flavors do tend to stand out a bit more along with the coconut noted. That and the fact that the drinkability did range as there was times I felt I could drink it easily but decided not to take my time with it. There is a reason it is sold out but I am sure they will release it again. If you find it, get this one, I highly recommend it!
Anime Corner:
Yoko Littner and Boota from Tengen Toppa Gurren Laggan were used in this pairing for Boota to represent the Beaver inside the barrel. The pairing of the reds is obvious. While Boota represents the beaver, Yoko would probably represent the barrel where Boota resides. While yes it is innuendoes, I couldn’t help myself but have a couple of laughs. Besides, I use Yoko for a lot of my good beer pairings. This one just happens to be pairing with Boota.
Sources:
http://eddy-shinjuku.deviantart.com/art/YOKO-RITONA-Afternoon-Stroll-Gurren-Lagann-325565264
http://orig01.deviantart.net/9914/f/2008/054/5/d/yoko__boota__and_gurren_lagann_by_lostsamurai.png
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/eh21kQvShko/maxresdefault.jpg
Rating: 6/6
Raging Passion Lactus Raspear Dragons by Nubis Sanctum Ales is a 10% ABV Imperial Milk Stout brewed with Raspberries, Passion Fruit, Dragon Fruit and Red Prickly Pear Tunas Oak aged in Dragon’s Milk Beer Barrel Bourbon.
Label:
Deep within the womb of time, a Dragoness thus be born and thus the tale is told. Upon an age old icy
crystal mountain, was home to the kind and magical dragoness who’s torment of being the last of her kind could not be comforted. The people feared her. The fanatics adored her, The kingdoms wished for her destruction. Until one day, something had happened.
The kingdoms faced demise from a natural disaster. A meteor crashed on the mountain causing a large
avalanche. While the Dragoness did manage to escape, she used her powers and melted the avalanche thus saving the kingdoms. The people had finally accepted her as one of their own and she became a legend. In honor of that day, the liquid water that trickled down the land from the melted ice, the milky fluid of the meteor mixed with her collection of exotic ingredients burnt by her flames during the
rescue, along with the burnt trees gave birth to this magic potion. In Honor of the new Dragoness Knight, All Hail the Dragoness, Her story will live on forever!
Ingredients: Water, Malts, Hops, Lactose Milk Sugar, Pureed Raspberries, Dragon Fruit, Passion Fruit, Red Prickly Pear Tunas, Oak Chips Aged “Dragon’s Milk Beer Barrel Bourbon” and Yeast.
==Introduction==
Project# 15 unleashes the dragons! This epitome of a beer is centered on dragons! Lots and lots of dragons. From the fruits, the milk, the bourbon and the alcohol. Dragons… Dragons everywhere! My inspiration for this brew came from the fact that I started really liking Raspberry stouts. Especially the Dragon’s Milk Reserve with Raspberries from New Holland. So when I had the idea, hmmm I should make a beer about dragons…. wait!!! That’s when it hit me, I will make one with some exotic Dragon fruit. I also wanted some passion fruit to go with it too and my friend Alex Bahamaca was able to inspire me since I remembered how good actual passion fruits were from his passion fruit tree. The Dragon fruit I was able to get from an Asian Market and thanks to my brother Martin and his wife Elly I knew what I had to do. Using the original bourbon I used from Sangri Leche, the Dragon’s Milk Bourbon which was New Holland’s Bourbon made from a barrel that used to age Dragons Milk Stout, it was only the perfect addon to my dragon’s milk themed beer. Aged one month in the fruit and a week in oak that was sitting for 2 months, now the beer is carbonated, it is time to see what my creation has spawned. Cheers!
Aromas:
Vanilla, oak, Rich Raspberries, Dragon Fruit, Passion fruit, Red prickly pear tunas, strawberries, , Milk sugar, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, fudge cake, raspberry Chambord, bourbon hints, port wine hints, toasted rye bread, pecan pie, sweetened condensed milk hints, hazelnut nectar and dulce de leche caramel hints.
Flavors:
Super Rich punch of Raspberries, Tropical Fruit Rich Dragon fruit, Passion fruits, Rich Oak, Vanilla, Caramel, toffee, butterscotch hints, Milk sugar, Milk chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Chocolate Raspberries, Fudge cake, Hints of bourbon, caramel, marshmallows, port wine notes, Raspberry Chambord, oranges, citrus, dark fruit raisins, currants, plums, dark cherry cheesecake notes, wine grapes, strawberries, raspberry marmalade on rye toast, pomegranates, molasses, mint, hazelnut nectar, pecan pie, sweetened condensed milk hints, boysenberry cobbler and crème brulee.
Aftertaste:
Finishing rich in raspberries and lots of oak, dark fruit, vanilla, caramel, dark cherries, dark chocolate, and wine notes. Deep Dark Bloody Crimson Full Body, very smooth, creamy, rich and velvety mouthfeel and easy to moderate drinkability.
Overall:
An exceptional brew that packs a punch of fruitiness. While I know the oak was a bit much, the fact that I added Sooooo much fruit may have cut down a bit of the Stouty characteristics. Despite that, it is still a milk stout and I think the oakiness fades as the beer is warmers. I think people that like oaky and fruity stouts will love this one. The Bourbon did not come as strong as I had hoped it would but that is okay as the original Dragon’s Milk has only notes of it as well. I was supremely happy with this one. So much like the Sangri Leche that I figure was my best beer. This one being my second best. I really do surprise myself sometimes and I am glad friends and family love these beers. One day, I would love to make beers for the masses. Only time will tell…
Anime Corner:
Yoko Littner from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagan was used in this pairing as I was looking for a reason to make a beer with her as the theme. Her red hair paired so well with a raspberry, red tuna and dragon fruit beer that I had to add her. The only problem was, aside from her fiery hair and tank top and possibly the skull, there really wasn’t anything else I could add to the beer that would say dragon. That is until… I found the awesome artwork with Yoko in Dark Knight Dragon Armor. I was like, HOLY SHIT!!!! it was meant to be… I was meant to brew an awesome beer about dragons and using this artwork, all the hardwork would come to fruition. So it did! I still added the original Yoko and an awesome version of Yoko with the glasses and the little pet Pig-Mole Boota as a nice finishing touch. I am sure many will come to appreciate it.
Sources:
http://konachan.com/image/178498dce0d6358f8f136e9211c5e118/Konachan.com%20-%20183160%20ember_prime_(warframe)%20ember_(warframe)%20fire%20long_hair%20navel%20penett%20ponytail%20red_hair%20tengen_toppa_gurren_lagann%20warframe%20yoko_littner.png
http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/playstationallstarsfanfictionroyale/images/4/4b/Yoko_Littner.png/revision/latest?cb=20150516090424
http://i.imgur.com/RhLI9mO.jpg
Rating: 5/5
The Remix Project Series, Rio De Sauvin collaboration by Stillwater Artisanal and Against The Grain is a 7.7% ABV Tropical Farmhouse Ale brewed with Mango and Passion fruit juices.
Label:
The boys at Against the Grain made a beer based on a fictional “sexy man” and uhh, his sheep friend.. So sticking with the theme and the fact that we have been spending some time in Brazil lately, we decided to amp up the sexy and host a tropical orgy of fruit flavors, hops, malt and yeast.. Umm Yeah.”
==Introduction==
Got this one at the little liquor store across the street near the Bruery. I haven’t had many Stillwater beers in a while so I figure I bring them since the beers they have are definitely some of the best farmhouse ales out there. This one, however, was very special since the ingredients caught my eye. I figured, this is exactly what I would like to see in a beer. Definitely something tropical. So here we have it, a tropical Farmhouse ale that uses actual tropical fruits. Cheers!
Aromas:
Tropical fruits like papaya, guavas, mango, passion fruit, dragon fruit, prickly pear tuna, honey dew melon, raspberries, strawberry notes, cranberry hints, chamomile, lavender, grapefruit, piney, floral and herbal hops, farmhouse hay, funky notes, vanilla, biscuit bread, phenolic notes, banana notes and clove spice.
Flavors:
Citrus, Oranges, Lemon, peppercorn, Tropical fruits like papaya, guavas, mango, passion fruit, dragon fruit, prickly pear tuna, honey dew melon, raspberries, strawberry notes, cranberry hints, Stone fruits like apricots, peaches, lychee, vanilla, biscuit bread, phenolic notes, banana notes, clove spice, flowers like rose petals, hibiscus, chamomile, lavender, grapefruit, piney, floral and herbal hops, farmhouse hay, funky notes, and cantaloupe candy.
Aftertaste:
Finishes dry with some left over farmhouse hay goodness, tropical fruit, stone fruit, vanilla and hints of lemon and flowers. No alcohol in the taste, clear golden light body, crisp, refreshing, clean and effervescent mouthfeel with an easy drinkability.
Overall:
A perfect Saison being one of the best tropical saisons I have ever had. Namely, some saisons lean toward specific things like flowers but this one really let loose with some tropical notes that while subtle, they were perfect allowing the beer to reach an awesome peek of flavor. I highly recommend it even if the summer is close to an end, the heat is still here and this one is definitely one that should be taken if found. I have not seen this one online but if you happen to find it, give it a whirl!
Anime Corner:
Nia Teppelin and Yoko Littner from Tengen Toppa Gurren Laggan were used in this pairing since I wanted to show case the many colors of tropical fruits and flavors. To pair with a hot summer scene, Nia and Yoko represent both breweries respectively and the floral surroundings are a nod at the floral notes from a farmhouse ale. So this beer pairs with many of the beers components and colors including the label.
Rating: 3.75/5
DUDE by Oceanside Ale Works is a 9.4% ABV Double India Pale Ale.
Label:
Dude – a slang expression of emphasis, amazement, and wave. Through the intense aromas , strong and complex hop flavor , this double IPA will unconsciously make you bellow out a thunderous “dude”. Enjoy!
___
Got this one at the local shop down the street where I live. I have not seen this brewery or this beer so I am definitely thinking this is new stuff. I am always up for trying new beers so I figured let’s give it a chance. Besides, the dude on the label almost looks like the big labowski, the dude!
Aromas:
Very herbal, grassy, piney, floral and grapefruit hops notes, citrus, vanilla hints, biscuit bread, very bitter grains, caramel, tangerine hints and gummy bear hints.
Flavors:
More on the herbal and dank side of an IPA. Citrus, grapefruit, grassy, piney, herbal and floral hops, dark onion and garlicky notes, caramel biscuit bread, vanilla hints, bitter grains, tangerine, gummy bear hints and tiny hints peach.
Aftertaste:
Herbal, grassy and grapefruit hops linger with a good amount of dark piney and garlic notes. No alcohol in the taste and has a moderate drinkability with close to medium mouth feel and appearance. It is quite crisp and refreshing though.
Overall:
A good beer overall. Kick ass label for sure but if you like herbal and bitter IPAs then this one is good. Not a lot of complexity but just enough to keep stuff interesting. Not the supreme best double IPA I have had, but in terms of double IPAs I would at least give this one a try. You may actually like this one. This one is definitely for the super hop heads.
Anime Corner:
Yoko Littner from Tengen Toppa Gurren Laggan was used in this pairing mainly to pair with the beer label. I wanted to get something that would go with the whole sunglasses and the colors of the dude looking bad ass! Yoko definitely looks like a bad ass in these pictures.
Sources:
http://www.zerochan.net/657475
http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2013/075/d/5/yoko_littner_hd_wallpaper_1440x900_by_labotaze-d5y86qe.jpg
Rating: 5.8/5
Cherry Chocolate Double Brown Stout by Deep Ellum Brewing is an 8% ABV Cherry Chocolate Chocolate Porter.
Label:
What a Mouthful!
Cherry Chocolate Double Brown Stout.
Our logical offering for a passionate time of year.
8% ABV 27 IBUs
Who says Brewers can’t pluck your heartstrings? We’ll play right to your heart (and palette and belly) by taking our already smooth and rich Double Brown Stout and taking out to a night on the town. By adding real Red Tart and Dark Sweet Cherries at the beginning of fermentation and **(Organic/Fair Trade) cocoa nibs at the end of conditioning, once a year we treat our Double Brown Stout lavishly. Don’t be a selfish lover, share with this someone special.
Style: Cherry Chocolate Baltic Porter
Hops: US Goldings, Mt. Hood, US Northern Brewer, Summit
Malts: Pale Ale, Munich light, Brown, Munich Dark, Oats, C rystal Rye, Extra Dark Crystal, Dehusked Chocolate
Yeast: California Lager
Other: Blackstrap Molasses, Red Tart & Dark Sweet Cherry Puree’, Cocoa Nibs
Packages: 50L, 1/6th bbl
___
A very special limited release that can only come from Texas! It is all thanks to my friend Aaron at www.beermetaldude.com. This is the second time I try a Deep Ellum beer and when I say the first one I tried, Four Swords, it was awesome. Now here is a beer that tell you what it’s gonna be about and there is not much you can do to escape it. This beer looks very seductive and sweet. When my friend Aaron first showed me a picture I was like Holy SHIT YES!!! DO WANT! So now here it is. Straight from the heart of Dallas Texas, traveling to California, here is the review. Cheers to you Aaron and the good folks at Deep Ellum! Thank you !
Aromas:
Rich Cherry cordials, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, Cherry Chocolate cake, toffee, dark fruits, espresso notes, Irish cream notes, raspberries, dulce de leche caramel, vanilla, flan hints, hazelnut, almond joy, tootsie rolls, molasses, brown sugar, earthy hops, rye and mild coconut.
Flavors:
Chocolate Tootsie rolls, chocolate cherry cordials, dark and milk chocolate, chocolate cherry cake, roasted espresso coffee, earthy hops, Irish cream notes, raspberries, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, hazelnut, almond joy, molasses, brown sugar, rye, coconut hints, flan, dark fruits like raisins, and prunes.
Aftertaste:
Chocolate, cherry, raspberry hints, Roasted coffee, earthy hop bitterness and caramel.No alcohol in the taste. A moderate to sipping drinkabilty with a creamy mouthfeel.
Overall:
I am a sucker for sweet cherry chocolate and seductive beers. What can I say . This ones out there! IT really has a rich complexity of sweets and enough coffee and earthy hops to keep everything in check but this is mainly a sweet awesome beer. If you somehow end up in Texas or were very fortunate enough to get this limited piece or can trade for it, GET IT! It is really is delicious and awesome.
Anime Corner:
Yoko Littner from Gurren Lagann was used in this pairing because I kinda wanted to sensualize the sexual cherry chocolate aspect that this beer brings. The label colors and the flavors pair all. Way too well that is is scary but pleasant. Perfect in all ways yes! The style of the art work used in the label and how it uses splashes of colors definitely pairs well. Yoko Represents all the cherry, chocolate and dark fruit of the beer.
Rating: 5.5/5
Red Velvet Stout by Buffalo Bayou brewing is a 6.3% ABV Sweet Milk Stout.
Label:
Richly decadent, this voluptuous dessert will seduce and ravage your taste buds, then cuddle with them in the afterglow.
Hints of cherries intermingle with a malt-forward, dark chocolate mouthfeel, finishing dry & savory.
Best enjoyed slightly chilled, in a Belgian tulip or snifter.
___
Red Velvet beer?! Yes it exist!! Where can you find it? In the heart of Texas that’s where. I have never tried a beer like this and frankly I was very excited when my friend Aaron at www.beermetaldude.com hooked up another great Texas goodie for us at the site so I definitely had to really analyze this is I am sucker for dessert beers. If you don’t like dessert beers, well, try reading some of my other reviews and Aaron’s too. We got plenty of beers you may want to know about. So, on with the Red Velvet!
Aromas:
Dark cherry, Dark chocolate milk chocolate, red velvet cake, dark fruit raisins, hazelnut, pecans, hints of flan, almond joy, coconut, dulce de leche caramel, brown sugar, vanilla and molasses.
Flavors:
Generous Red Velvet notes, Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, cherry hints, fudge cake, cheese cake sugar frosting, earthy hop and roasted barley, coconut hints, dulce de leche, vanilla hints, roasted coffee, lactose, cinnamon, hints of flan, brown sugar, molasses, dark fruit raisins and pecan pie.
Aftertaste:
Coffee roast, earthy hop notes, dark chocolate, cherry and lactose hints. No alcohol in the taste. A sipping beer despite the ABV. It has close to a full mouth feel.
Overall:
This is a great beer and definitely meets a great standard in terms of dessert beers. It is almost like the time I had a white chocolate or the chocolate rain. If this beer was barrel aged, some very new heights this beer would take. Regardless, it was damn delicious and I don’t agree with the small score it has been give on the beer sites. The thing is probably because it is so new, but this little gem is just getting started. I hope this comes to California one day as I would pick up a couple for sure.
Anime Corner:
Yoko Littner from Tengen Toppa Gurren Laggan was used in this pairing to display the deliciousness of the Red Velvet. She is one of my favorite characters from the show and I wanted to show the awesomeness in label and the flavors too. The colors like the Red pair with the Red Velvet and cherry aspect. They always say put the cherry on top of the whipped cream but in this case, the reverse can be said as she has a white skull on her head. What’s the big gun for? It is for hunting Buffalo, well not literally but I would assume in the Bayou, it would come in handy.
Rating: 5/5
Duck-Duck-Gooze by The Lost Abbey is a 7% ABV World Class American Wild Ale
Label:
There’s an art to corralling a bunch of ducklings A nip to turn Suzy this way or a nudge to launch little Johnny towards the water and suddenly they are all lined up ready to follow along. Or are they? This isn’t something they teach you at Mother Gooze School. You see, there always seems to be that one duckling (or two) who has an agenda all their own. At that point, all bets are of. Then mama goose loses control and her inner Devil comes out.
Blending Oak Barrels can be a lot like corralling little ducklings. Each barrel has its own personality. Some, like good little ducklings, get in line from the very beginning. Others are quite more problematic and need more nurturing. Duck Duck Gooze is made from all sorts of barrels. Some were great from the beginning while others needed more attention. Duck Duck Gooze was three years in the making. We hope you find it worth the wait
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Only released exclusively at the Lost Abbey every 3 years since 2009, this beer ha made a return this year. Last year They could not do it as they had to make way for the Ultimate Box set which was released in 2012. This beer will be slated to release in 2016 again. The beer is made with 3 sets of barrels each aging 1, 2 and 3 years apart and then blended together. I was only lucky enough to get a single bottle eligible for review here at the site. Being probably the best sour ale ever released, I will do my best to review in as much detail as my ability will allow.
Aromas are very citrusy, lemon, lime, biscuit bread, funky bitter grapes, oak, peach, pears, hints of dragon fruit, earthy must, barnyard hay, floral notes, chamomile and roses
The flavors are musty, and citrusy but some very nice sweetness and oakiness lurks. Lemon, oranges, roses, hay, biscuit bread, chamomile, sour apple, apricot, sour lemon candy, teguacan (Mexican Lime and seltzer water with spices), pineapple, musty grapes and spices.
The aftertaste leaves like lemon on a sour fruit with oak. Basically, it leaves sour but then fades into like a fruity and hay finish. Clear body, but you definitely have to take your time with it
Overall this is puckeringly Awesome. It starts off sour but as you go on and it warms up, it gets good giving some really nice fruity, citrusy and oaky taste. You really have to enjoy sours to like this one, otherwise this beer may not be for you. I think this is one of the reasons it was made this way. Having an open taste to sour helps finding good flavors in them. Jolly Pumpkin helped out for many years to find it. The good thing is that this one is more tart than pure sour. Clearly some sours may be pure vinegar taste but some beers when done very well, are exceptionally awesome, like this one.
Rating: 6/5*
Cacaonut by The Bruery is a 15.6% ABV American Strong Ale brewed with Coconut, Vanilla Beans & Cacao Nibs and aged in Oak Barrels.
Label:
Nuttin’ Better
A Unique blend of several of our barrel aged ales with toasted coconut, cacao nibs and vanilla beans. Cacaonut is bursting with flavors of spice, cocoa, rich toffee, and tropical notes.
The unique blend was inspired by a favorite dessert of ours, the chocolate dipped coconut macaroon. Cacaonut is suitable for aging for up to three years. Best stored and cellared around 55F (13C) in a dark place.
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Secret recipe huh? Well, I did some research and found the blends may be White Oak Sap, Barrel Aged 5 Golden Rings and some of the Anniversary Ales. The Bruery has made some of the most exceedingly unexpected delicious barrel aged dessert beers I have ever tried. After trying several ones like Black Tuesday, Chocolate Rain, White Chocolate, Melange 3 and others, I was not expecting such beers to exceed my expectations this much. In fact, this is the reason I started to give greater than 5/5 ratings for beers that I feel truly deserve that “exceeding expectations” category. Not to mention the fact that anything that taste closest to chocolate is where I go bonkers over the beer. Just to be fair though, I will try to brake this complex monster as best I can. All I will say now before I start is this…. Almond Joy Chocolate while drinking blended tropical juices
Aromas are of rich milk chocolate, dark chocolate, super rich vanilla, rich coconut, dulce de leche caramel, sweetened condensed milk (Lechera), coconut milk, vanilla, bourbon, oak, flan, crème brulee, tootsie roll, almond joy chocolate, brown sugar, maple, dark fruits, plums, raisins, boozy sweet aromas, port wine, pecans, hazelnut and much more.
The Flavors are epic chocolate coconut bliss. I’m done!! That’s its. Just kidding. There a very distinct rich toasted coconut flavor coming from this. This is super close to what the had in mind of chocolate macaroons. Dark Chocolate, maple syrup, vanilla, flan, bourbon, plums raisins, almond joy chocolate, toffee, brown sugar, pecans, hazelnut and walnuts. There are also tropical flavors here as well of hidden citrus, coriander, pineapple, caramelized mango, chocolate bananas, dragon fruit, dark cherries, blue berries and clove spice.
The aftertaste is very toasty coconut milk, vanilla, chocolate, bourbon and almost like a Queso Fresco quezadilla toasted note taste. Pretty interesting but I really think it is the bready coconut in action here. A definite sipper, boozy but nothing to get in the way of ultimate complexity.
*Overall, this one is exquisitely delicious and amazing. These are the beers I wish I could drink everyday. It is beers like these that defy what beers are and what beers truly be!! (At least the dessert ones). I am fanatic of chocolate beers and pairing the coconut here gives it some very complex flavors to the already complex barrel aged blend selection as I mentioned above. I apologize if this sounds too snobby, it is not my intention. But I would like for you to take this with a grain of salt and if you get a chance to try it (and you love coconut, chocolate and tropical fruits) you will most likely love it. Unless you do not like complexity and strength in beers then you best off with something lighter. Also, as with all “Diabetes in a bottle” beers, drink and enjoy in small amounts please!!
Yoko Littner For the Win!!
Rating: 4.65/5
Humdinger Series Belgo Sutra by Magic Hat Brewing is an 8.2% ABV Belgian Strong Dark Ale brewed with Figs and Dates
COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION (Ratebeer.com)
A complex Belgian Strong Ale brewed with figs, dates, and dark candi sugar. Throw out your inhibitions and lose yourself in intense pleasure.
Official ddescriptionmagichat.com/elixirs/belgosutra)
Beer has never known such sensuality as with Belgo Sutra. Brewed with six different malts and fermented over figs and dates, this Belgian-Style Dark Ale offers a deep complexity that caresses the palate to a scream-inducing climax.
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Despite the fact that the ratings on the websites are moderate to good about this beer, I still wanted to seek out for 2 reasons. Great label art but also, I am a fan of Belgian Dark Ales. Also, this beer is mainly sold in the east coast so it was no easy task to find. I had to resort to online sources.
Aromas are of dark fruits like raisins, plums, caramel, chocolate notes, cherry, earthy spices, bread, candi sugar, figs, dates, cinnamon, brown sugar, cloves and banana notes.
The flavors are of figs, and dates, plum notes, raisins, candi sugar, walnuts, maple, cinnamon, clove spice, rye bread, pears, apricots, molasses, chocolate notes, bananas, caramel, cinnamon, brown sugar, cloves, lemon meringue and slight cherry notes.
The after taste stays figgy, nutty, notes of residual raisin and caramel notes. Alcohol seems to be a little present in the fragrance but not as much in the taste.
Overall the beer is very good. A very nice strong dark ale close to a quad even, which I think should be considered a quad. I does a very good job in a lot of aspects, but you can definitely find way better Belgian strong darks out there that are more common. Not that this should be passed up though. If you can find it, get it as it is pretty limited and worthy of taste merit.
Rating: 4.9/5
La Trappe Bockbier by Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven is a 7% ABV Trappist Bock
Label:
La Trappe Bockbier is a unique seasonal product, available from autumn onwards. the only Trappist bock and what is more, one that continues to ferment in the bottle. A beautiful deep red colour with a light, bitter aftertaste.
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It has been a very long time since I reviewed a beer from La Trappe. The last one I reviewed was their quadruple which was amazing. La Trappe being one of the 8 registered Trappist breweries in the world makes simply exquisite beers. According to Beer advocate, this is the best beer in its style. The Bock style was brewed in German Monasteries to pass the lenten fasts but some believe it was brewed during the month of Capricorn and so many Bock styles always have the goat association with it. It was used as a symbol of better times going from winters into the spring.
Aromas are of figs, raisins, dulce de leche caramel, toffee, hazelnuts, chocolate, brown sugar and rye bread.
Holy crap, you the flavors are borderline quad but with rich German malt aspects. Dark fruits like raisins, dates, dulce de leche caramel, rich toffee, banana, clove spice along with rye, pecans, hazelnut nectar, chocolate, raspberries, apricot, cinnamon and brown sugar.
This goes down very well. The mouth feel is rich even for a 7% ABV. Lots of malty sweetness, toffee and caramel in the aftertaste. This bock is very good. I think I liked it because of it s quad like elements. It is made by Trappist so you definitely cannot go wrong with this one. All I have to do now is find a 750ml of this.
Rating: 4.5/5
Ain’t this a bitch….lol literally. The guys at Brewdog teamed up with Three Floyds to to create a bitchin’ collaboration. This beer is strong and bitter. LOL I assume if Stone made Scottish ales it would be something like this. Special Scottish roasted malts and lots and lots of hops. This is a Scottish barley wine style ale that made me wonder how worthy I really was. Thanks to the practice of
Ain’t this a bitch….lol literally. The guys at Brewdog teamed up with Three Floyds to to create a bitchin’ collaboration. This beer is strong and bitter. LOL I assume if Stone made Scottish ales it would be something like this. Special Scottish roasted malts and lots and lots of hops. This is a Scottish barley wine style ale that made me wonder how worthy I really was. Thanks to the practice of the bastard and the blessing of deliverance I was able to indulge in this magnificent piece of work. Islay malts and Eclectic hops are fermented and aged in single malt whiskey barrels for 8 months. I don’t wanna say I am a bitch for trying to stay strong as we speak, but damn, it hits your from all sides. It is a bitchin’ 11.5% alcohol. The malts are strong in this one mostly lingering for a bit those really smokey, vanilla and burnt chocolate with fruity hop bitterness. Smooth going down and hits you quite later. LOL that scotch whiskey is sure there and compliments all the ingredients extremely well. Reminds me of the Tactical nuclear penguin but at a lower alcohol content but more bitterness. I enjoyed it to the fullest. The video is quite funny too 😛http://vimeo.com/15087114 . Damn it, and to think this little bottle was super hard to find….ain’t that the real bitch…lol…I want another one
Ain’t this a bitch….lol literally. The guys at Brewdog teamed up with Three Floyds to to create a bitchin’ collaboration. This beer is strong and bitter. LOL I assume if Stone made Scottish ales it would be something like this. Special Scottish roasted malts and lots and lots of hops. This is a Scottish barley wine style ale that made me wonder how worthy I really was. Thanks to the practice of the bastard and the blessing of deliverance I was able to indulge in this magnificent piece of work. Islay malts and Eclectic hops are fermented and aged in single malt whiskey barrels for 8 months. I don’t wanna say I am a bitch for trying to stay strong as we speak, but damn, it hits your from all sides. It is a bitchin’ 11.5% alcohol. The malts are strong in this one mostly lingering for a bit those really smokey, vanilla and burnt chocolate with fruity hop bitterness. Smooth going down and hits you quite later. LOL that scotch whiskey is sure there and compliments all the ingredients extremely well. Reminds me of the Tactical nuclear penguin but at a lower alcohol content but more bitterness. I enjoyed it to the fullest. The video is quite funny too 😛http://vimeo.com/15087114 . Damn it, and to think this little bottle was super hard to find….ain’t that the real bitch…lol…I want another one
Brewerianimelogs (Anime and Beer Lore) 